Corbridge Supper Club

Guy Opperman - photo by Cyrus Katrak

A great evening at the Tynedale Rugby Club where many locals came together for our third supper club of the year
I spoke on Afghanistan and we asked the audience to fill in a three question survey on defence and what we should be doing in Afghanistan - particularly should we stay or leave
We raised a lot of money for Help the Heroes / British Legion

Alternative Business Awards

A great night at the Tyne Theatre. Won an award [amazingly!] as the most promising newcomer to the region...with much gentle micky taking by Brendan Healey. The charity we supported was the Percy Headley Foundation which is doing the most incredible job. They are lovely people doing everything they can for such an incredible cause. Have been asked to visit and cannot wait to go as you only watch their descriptive film for 5 minutes and you are totally moved.

William Hague / Wendy Morton Dinner

To the Grand Hotel Tynemouth for a sit down dinner with William Hague on top form as the speaker
Wendy Morton and Linda Arkley are transforming North Tyneside / Tynemouth
Had long chat with Alan Wright the new PPC for Hartlepool - this will be one of the surprises of the General Election as Alan will come from third to first to win...as a tory in Hartlepool!!

Lowlander ("Sushi") ON THE MEND...

Guy Opperman riding Lowlander - Crossing the finishing line at Hexham 6/6/09

Lowlander - known to everyone by his stable name of Sushi - has lots of people asking how he is... It is common knowledge that he was injured in a race at Hexham...well hes better now!!! It is so rare to have a leg fracture and get better, but we have done it

I rode him at Hexham on 6th June - and from going beautifully, it all went wrong at the downhill fence when he landed awkwardly and suffered a hairline fracture of his pastern. We didn't know this until later; despite this he still finished the race fifth out of 15 but would have won without the injury. Tim Reed, the trainer, and I were gutted with the result, but within minutes we discovered why he hadn't picked up and gone on and won his race... He was limping and we soon found out that he had a fractured off fore leg.

Since then he has been in a cast hobbling around and trying to get better. He has also had colic, which he only survived thanks to the efforts of the amazing Tim, and all manner of problems. But the final X ray looked really good

Just wanted to say that the Hexham vets, led by Roger Scott and Colin Mitchell have done an amazing job.

Sushi keeps me fit and sane and is my pride and joy. It will be a sad day when he retires, although my bank manager will be delighted!

Northumberland Shows

Have had great fun going round all the shows this summer meeting as many people as possible
In the last two weeks I have done many, including the revamped shows at Riding Mill and Stocksfield; however, none has come close to the amazing Kirkwhelpington show, which was run with military precision, and which had the best food and an amazing steam engine on display

Whalton Get Together

An amazing evening in Whalton where Richard and Caroline Renwick threw open their beautiful house to the village - supporters and opponents were both welcome - and it gave them the chance to meet me and grill me for 2/3 hours
Over 70 came from 18 to 80 and a great evening was had by all

Then dinner in the Chinese in Ponteland on Broadway... had a hilarous encounter when got mistaken for the new air traffic controller at the airport

Otterburn TV Shoot

Peter Atkinson and I get a grilling from ITV's man in the north east, Gerry Foley

To Otterburn with Peter Atkinson MP to be interviewed by ITV's man in the North East Gerry Foley - who is one of the last "good guys" in TV
Despite the fact that it was chucking it down with rain we did some outside shots and then had a good meeting in the Percy Hotel - who very kindly let us spend the morning there

Summer Tour - in typical Northumbrian weather

Peter Atkinson MP and I outside the Camien Cafe, Rochester with Tod Law behind us [photo by Chris Galley]:
Off to West Woodburn, Redesdale, Kirkwelpington, Otterburn and Rochester - where the weather was interesting but the welcome in the Camien Cafe was warm. We were very grateful to the cafe for huge steaming cups of coffee and warmed up as the weather closed in on us.
Met chris and others on the campaign trail and spent an extended morning in Otterburn. Peter coped very well with my driving!